Colon Cancer Surgeon NYC: Liver Metastases Surgery

The term “liver metastases” refers to cancerous tumors that have spread to the liver from somewhere else in the body. The ancient Greeks used the word “metastasis” to mean “removal from one place to another.” Liver metastases refer to tumors that could be in just one lobe of the liver or in many liver segments.

Please note: Dr. Alden accepts insurance if he participates with your plan. Additionally, if Dr. Alden does not participate with your insurance plan, Dr. Alden’s office is frequently able to obtain pre-authorization from your insurance plan based on his uniqueness of his specialty. We will contact your insurance company to understand your benefits and additionally submit for you. You will enjoy the luxury and benefit of academic medicine in a top rated concierge environment without the hassle of long hospital waiting room times and paperwork. Most policies reimburse patients for most of the cost of surgery. Our surgical coordinator will help you with a quote.

Some liver cancer researchers say that because liver metastases have spread from the original cancer site, the disease is so advanced that liver resection is pointless. Many research articles report that for patients with liver metastases who have no surgery and are given chemotherapy alone, the 5-year survival rate is less than 5%. However, several research articles have reported 5-year survival rates of more than 50% for the same type of patients who are treated with surgical removal of the metastases.

Based on these results, the best in class liver cancer surgeon, believes from experience and from preforming more than 650 liver resections since 2003, the NYC liver surgeon favors surgical removal of liver metastases whenever possible. In the liver surgeon’s opinion, a combination of liver resection and chemotherapy, possibly along with other oncological treatments, offers the best chance of a successful outcome.

Modern technology, proper training, and advanced techniques and tools make it possible to remove liver metastases safely, with very little blood loss. Current state-of-the-art centers demonstrate liver resection mortality (dying as a result of surgery) rates of less than 1% and morbidity (surgical complication) rates of 5% to 10%. The chance of needing a blood transfusion during liver resection is also low, at less than 5%.

In many cases the liver cancer tumor (or tumors) can be potentially removed in one operation. In complex cases, staged surgery is planned. With staged surgery, the biggest part of the disease is removed in an initial surgery, with the rest removed in another surgery about 2 months later. In cases when the remaining liver volume would be too small after surgery, several techniques can be used to increase the size of the remaining liver before the surgery is attempted. (See “If the liver is too small.”) These techniques dramatically increase the safety of the Portal Hypertention (Ascites, Esophageal Varices) Surgery operation.

It is impossible to discuss every scenario. Every patient is unique and the liver surgeon’s world class team develops a personalized cancer treatment strategy for each patient based on the patient’s current and original liver scans, current liver function, overall health condition, and many other factors. The colon cancer surgery treatment (Liver Metastases Surgery) is always coordinated with all the doctors involved in the patient’s care.

Patients and medical professionals from America and around the world seek out Dr. Alden’s specialized best in class individualized cancer treatments and services including his expert surgical management of the patient’s unique condition.

Patients referred to Dr. Alden have access to a vast array of specialists who are some of the best in their field in the country (and possibly in the world).

In addition to in-office consultations Dr. Alden offers virtual consultations to patients and medical professionals anywhere in the world via phone or SKYPE. Please phone Dr. Dmitri Alden’s NYC office (212) 434-6216 for details or simply use the eForm on the right,